Is the 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak the better buy versus the Ranger Raptor?

Ford Philippines recently launched the 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor. They knew they had a hit on their hands as many buyers eagerly awaited its next-generation version to arrive in the local market.

While it didn’t come with a V6 engine that many expected, the Blue Oval brand is still open to bringing it in if there is enough demand.

Also read: EXCLUSIVE: V6 Ranger Raptor can still be offered if there is enough demand -- Ford Philippines

However, it does raise the question, what about the Ford Ranger Wildtrak? Will it fall into the shadow of its bigger, more off-road-oriented Raptor brother? We will take the pricing out of the equation and focus on what they offer in terms of specifications. 

A lifestyle and workhorse pickup

Unlike its burly off-road counterpart, the Ford Ranger Wildtrack is still a workhorse. It's a pickup truck with all the bells and whistles available from Ford, but it can still take a beating with daily use.

The Wildtrak isn’t as in-your-face about its off-road capabilities as it comes with more subtle styling. While it can’t go off-roading at great speed, unlike its Raptor sibling, it can still take on rough trails. However, you might want to upgrade its tires for that extra grip off-road.

You have a few off-road goodies at your disposal, including the trail camera and other off-road modes that ensure traction when you need it.

If you need to haul cargo, its specious bed awaits, which already comes with a bed liner and plugs at the back, which you can use to power your devices. 

The same power as the Raptor

Under the hood, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak has the same 2.0-liter bi-turbo engine as its Raptor brother, pushing out 210 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque. It also shares the same 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring you are always within the power band. 

You might not have the fancy Fox suspension of the Raptor, but at least you have the same power output.

Similar safety features

One thing that the Ranger Raptor and the Ranger Wildtrak share is that they both come with a similar suite of advanced driver-assist technology. 

This gives the driver access to the following:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Pre-collision Assist
• Dynamic Brake Support
• Distance Alert
• Forward Collision warning system
• Evasive Steer Assist
• Post Impact Braking
• Lane Departure and Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot information system with cross-traffic alert and braking
• 360-degree Camera
• Reverse Brake Assist
• Active Park Assist

However, I would like to point out that the Raptor has a tire pressure monitoring system for its more off-road-centered use case. 

A more comfortable ride

We understand that comfort and pickup trucks don’t typically mix, but in the case of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, it's one of the more comfortable options available. 

It is partly because the Blue Oval brand tuned the suspension to handle both on-road, hauling, and off-road duties, pairing it with the right all-around kind of tires. In the case of the Raptor, it's still decent on-road, but its tire choice is better suited for trudging off-the-beaten-path.

Better cargo capacity

When buying a pickup truck, something to consider is its carrying capacity. Chances are you will end up having to haul something down the line. 

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak excels in carrying capacity, as it can carry about 864kg, while the Ranger Raptor can only carry 717kg. It's a trade-off you must consider when choosing between the two.

If you will likely be hauling cargo, then the Wildtrak is the better option, but if you don’t mind the lower payload capacity, then the Raptor could be your answer. 

Ford has designed the two pickup trucks to address different segments. The Raptor is aimed at the off-road enthusiast, while the Wildtrak is for those who want all the bells and whistles in a truck they can use in the city but with the capability to go off-road. It's a choice between having a lifestyle workhorse or a beast of an off-roader. 

Which Ford would you choose, the Ranger Raptor or the Ranger Wildtrak?

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